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Chapel House Penzance

This beautiful brick-and-granite Georgian townhouse has been designed to provide an 'open house' experience where quality and comfort merge; relax amidst a backdrop of seaside hues and spectacular coastal vistas, where attention to detail and informality of service lie at the heart.

Location

8/10

The hotel is situated on Penzance's historic Chapel Street, near the town centre with views over the harbour and Mounts Bay beyond. Within an eight-mile radius you will find St Ives (with its Tate gallery), Lands End, the harbour village of Mousehole, St Michael's Mount, the fishing port of Newlyn and a mining World Heritage Site. This most westerly peninsula of mainland England is home to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery and beaches where you can surf, swim, windsurf, coaster or kayak.

Style & character

9/10

Chapel House was originally built in 1790 and lived in by Admiral Samuel Hood Lindsay, who ran the Penzance naval base during the Napoleonic War. A collaboration between owner Susan Stuart and architect Keith Bell, saw a two-and-a-half-year renovation project transform Chapel House into a stylish boutique townhouse. With its classic, light-filled Georgian proportions, simple lines and symmetry, period furnishings fuse with mid-century modern, creating a clean aesthetic to a backdrop of blues and grey hues. It's a serene retreat that is comfortable and welcoming.

Service & facilities

8/10

Susan's 'open house' vision cleverly combines the facilities of a hotel with the informality of a house party, providing comfort with an intuitive, friendly and informal service. The large double drawing room leads to a garden terrace with stunning views across Penzance Harbour and St Michael’s Mount – kick off your shoes and settle on one of the comfy sofas or wide-cushioned window seats and enjoy unlimited loose-leaf tea, coffee and cake. Plans are in place to renovate an adjacent building into an additional two suites with spectacular sea views and a wood-fired whirlpool tub and sauna. Also on the cards is the conversion of an old cold house into a small treatment room, expected to be ready late summer 2018.

Laundry

Parking

Restaurant

Room service

Wi-Fi

Rooms

9/10

There are six large double rooms – some with stand-alone baths – designed to combine simplicity with supreme comfort. Contemporary furnishings are mixed with Georgian features and Susan's vision to reflect the light from the sea and sky into the house has been cleverly mastered with the colour palettes – a fusion of serene blues, greens and greys reminiscent of the sea. Bathrooms are large and luxurious with toiletries by Pure 'Nuff' Stuff, handmade in Penzance. Loose-leaf tea, ground coffee, robes and cotton slippers are also provided.

Food & drink

9/10

Dining is based on a 'supper club' formula with a short menu and guests sharing a table in an informal open-plan kitchen complete with industrial-style lighting, tall book shelves and one large wooden island as the centrepiece. Menus are designed using seasonal ingredients with fresh produce grown on local farms and smallholdings. Wild food specialities create delicious plates such as pan-fried hand-dived scallops, Cornish asparagus butter, organic fillet steak, saffron mash and wild mushroom risotto.

The breakfast menu is extensive with attention to detail; Chapel House Smoothies, seasonal fruit salad, granola, muesli, yogurts, pastries, toast and preserves are followed-up with the option to build your own breakfast or choose from the menu (smoked haddock with poached egg, tomatoes, avocado and smoked bacon on soughdough toast).

Value for money

9/10

Double rooms from £150 in low season; and from £175 in high. Breakfast included; half-board is an additional £55 per room. Exclusive hire of the whole house starts at £1000 a night. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Not suitable.

Family-friendly?

Yes – there are two family rooms which can accommodate two adults and two children. All rooms are large enough to accommodate a cot.